Dispensing applicator and massaging device



w. G. PANcoAsT v .2,584,735

DISPENSING APPLICATOR AND MAssAGrNG DEVICE Filed Nov. 1'9, 1949 Patented Feb. 5, 1952 l msPENslNG AP'PucA'roR ANDMAssAGmG DEVICE William G. Pancoast, Evanston, Ill.

. Application November 19, 1949, Serial No. 128,412

This invention relates to improvements in a dispensing app-licator and massaging device, and more particularly to a device readily attachable to a container of material to be dispensed, for applying a liquid or creamy substance, such as shaving cream, lotions, shampoo, or the' like, to the body of a userand `then massaging the skin over the applied substance, although the invention may have other uses and purposes as will beapparent to one skilled in the art. Y

It will be understood that the instant invention is highly desirable for applying and massaging vvarious lotions and creams to the skin, use in shampooing hair,'use for under arm care, use for cosmetics, and many other substances. However, herein, the invention will be set forth and described particularly with regard to its use with the brushless type shaving cream, since that particular example will more fully disclose the features and advantages of the invention.

One of the main objections tothe use of brushless shaving cream resides in the fact thatthe user must get his hands smeared with the shaving cream when applying it to his face, requiring a thorough washing of the hands and a s claims. (ci. 1728-67) 2 forth herein, which embodies a spreader or applicator surface, and a separate massaging surface. y

Also a feature of the invention is the provision of a device of the character setrforth herein which embodies separate applicator and massagthorough drying before the user can properly manipulate a razor Without risk. The common practice is to place shaving cream from a tube or jar on the fingers of the hand, and then massage the cream over the face and beard, most frequently using the fingers 'of both hands for this purpose. This practice is extremely messy and frequently resultsV in .smearing the faucets and other lavatory fixtures, so that a general clean-up program is essential after the shaving operation has been completed.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide a dispensing applicator and massaging devicefor both applying material to the skin of a user and then massaging the skin after the application, whereby the hands of the user remain clean and dry during the entire operation.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a dispensing applicator and massaging device, which when Aused with brushless shaving cream, applies the cream to the face and may be used to massage the cream into vthe base of the vwhiskers and soften them at the surface'of the the provision of a device of the character set ing surfaces, with a relatively sharp edge therebetween which serve as a scraper to remove surplus substance.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a dispensing applicator and massaging device which may be attached directly to a collapsible tube of material to be applied to the skin in lieu of the cap provided with the tube, and the device may remain on the tube for as long a period of time as is necessary to use up the entire contents of the tube.

A further lobject of the invention resides in the provision of a device of the character set forth herein, which may be attached to a collapsible tube of material, and which is provided with a slit or slot through which material may be dispensed when pressure isapplied to the tube, the slot being substantially invisible and relatively sealed when the device is not in use, but opening upon pressure to distribute the contents of the tube over an applicator surface, remote from a massaging surface of the device. n Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character set forth herein, preferably made of resilient material and which may be attached to a container of substance to be dispensed, the device itself being shaped to'provide a finger grip during use to facilitate the manipulation of the device.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a dispensing applicator and massaging device embodying principles of the instant invention showing the same attached in operative position to a collapsible tube of substance to the dispensed:v

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the structure of Fig. 1;

by the line IV-IV of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure is also a vertical sectional view through the device itself taken substantially as indicated by the line V-V of Fig. 2.

l/Vhen the instant invention is put Vto use, the tubeA cap is removed and discarded, and the invenfrom the showing in Fig. 5, that the wall of the device adjacent the outer portion of the face I0 is relatively thin, and through this thinner portion a slit or slot I3 is provided which, when closed, as will be the case when the device is not in use, is relatively sealed and invisible as apparent from the dotted line showing in Fig.. 2. Also, it will be noted that, this slot I3 Yisarcuate and bowcdrearwardly or away from the edge II. Accordingly, when-the structure is held in .-substantially vertical position and the tube I tion screwed over the discharge end of the tube to thereafter serve as the tube closure until all the contents of the tube have been removed.

The instant invention is in the yform of a head 2 for the tube I or other container. The entire head is preferably molded in one piece from a suitable resilient material such as synthetic rubber, and is provided with a substantially wedgeshaped hollow 3 therein as seen clearly in Figs. 4 and 5. Near. the base of the head a lateral annular groove i is provided in the head in communication with the hollow, and below vthe groove the hollow is made cylindrical for a short distance as at 5, and then flares outwardly as at 6 to more intimately fit the closed end of the tube around the discharge nozzle. A cap member 1, which may be of a plastic material such as a phenolic condensation product or other suitable material and which is preferably provided with a polygonal head, may be snapped into the groove l by. forcibly distorting the open end of the device for this purpose. Providing a polygonal head. on

the cap 'l preventsits rotation when the threaded c shank. portion of the cap is screwed onto the discharge nozzle of the tube I. T he cap is apertured as indicated at S, so that substance squeezed from the tube may enter the hollow 3 in the resilient head 2. Y

When the applying and massaging device is attached to the tube I in the manner above described, it will be noted that thedevice intimately fits over the tube end so as to effect a positive seal and, regardless of the pressure applied on the tube, the contents of the tube cannot squeeze out between the end of the tube and the device, but can only fill up the hollow 3 in the device and exit therefrom in the manner to be later de.-

scribed.

The outer end of the device is shaped to provide a pair of outwardly converging substantially flat faces 9 and Ill, relatively opposed to each other. These faces terminate in a relatively sharp transverse edge II clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 5 which f may function as a scraper edge to remove an excess of applied material. Y

The face 9 may be considered the massaging face, and this face carries a plurality of spaced,

tapering, and flexible projections I2, preferably r..

molded integral with the head 2, and suiciently resilient and flexible as to produce a propermassaging action upon the face or other part of the body without discomfort to the user and without requiring heavy pressure. A satisfactory number of the flexible projections I2 have been illustrated in the drawings, but it will be understood that as many as desired of such projections may be employed.

The other face I0 is relatively fiat and smooth with no obstructions thereon. It will be noted compressed to exude the material therein, this material will come through the slot I3 in substantially a flat ribbon IQ as seen in Fig. 3. This ribbon of material is deflected downward to accumulat'e upon the spreader face I0, because the wall 'above the slotis thinner than the wall therebelow.v

The base portion of the device is preferably shaped to provide an annular groove l5y therearound, which groove is of a suitable size to accommodate a `finger or fingers of the user so the device may be positively and easily held and readily manipulated during use.

In use, the instant invention is quite simple and positive. As vstated above, upon the purchase of a new tube OfshaVing cream, the cap normally on the tube is removed and discarded, and the device is screwed onto the tube and thereafter serves as the closure for the tube. Accordingly, when the user desires to shave, it is a simple expedient to pick up the tube and device,'the tube serving as a handle if desired for the manipulation of the device. After the hollow 3 of the device is once filled with material from the tube, it, will thereafter remain filled, and immediately upon pressure being applied to the tube, a ribbon of the material will exude through the slot or slit I3 and gather upon the smooth applying face I0. With one. or more fingers engaged within the groove I5, the exuded cream is'then applied to the face, by merely lightly rubbing the part I0 of the device against the face. Such cream, of course, may be applied too thickly in certain locations. `It is then a simple expedient to utilize the relatively sharp edge II to scrape off some excess material onto the applying face I0, and reapply that material to another .location. After the material has been fairly evenly applied to the face of the user, the device is turned around and with a light massaging action occasioned by rubbing the flexible projections IZ overl the skin, the cream is thoroughly massaged into the base of the whiskers and so softens the whiskers at the skin surface where the razor blade may readily sever them. At the. same time, the massaging action not only softens the beard, but also stimulates the skin to some extent, putting it into better condition for the shaving operation so that a more comfortable shave ac,- tually ensues. V

It will be noted especially that during the application of material andthe massaging thereof into the beard, the users hand remains clean and dry so that the device and tube may be merely laid down, and the razor immediately used without any smearing of the cream over the users hands or over the lavatory fixtures.

After the shaving operation is completed, it is a simple expedient to hold the tube under a hot water faucet and easily wash away any cream remaining upon the device. During this washing operation, the curvate, slot or slit I3 closes upon .the removal of the cream at the slit and effectively seals the' device so' that the applying face i may be completely cleansed Without the water running through the slit. The device, still attached to the tube, may then be laid away for the next usage.

It will be noted that the device itself is economical to manufacture, long lived since it may be repeatedly changed from an empty tube to a fresh full tube, is highly sanitary, and effects a better result than is possible without the use of the device.

It is believed that the use of the device for the application of other substances, such as lotions, creams, shampoos, etc., is sufliciently apparent from the foregoing as to warrant no further description.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A dispensing anc l massaging device, including a hollow head of resilient material, means carried by said head to attach the same over the mouth of a collapsible tube containing material to be dispensed, the exterior of said head having a pair of flat outwardly converging faces, one of said faces having a slot communicating with the hollow in said head and through which material is dispensed, and a plurality of flexible massaging projections on the other of said faces.

2. A dispensing and massaging device, including a hollow head of resilient material, means carried by said head to attach the same over the mouth of a collapsible tube containing material to be dispensed, said head having an opening therein through which material is dispensed, a flat face on the exteriorI of said head, and a plurality of flexible massaging projections extending from said face.

3. A dispensing and massaging device, including a hollow head of resilient material, means carried by said head to attach the same over the mouth cf a collapsible tube containing inaterial to be dispensed, a pair of at opposed faces on the exterior of said head, massaging means carried by one of said faces, and a slot through the wall of said head and the other of said faces through which material may be dispensed.

4. A dispensing and massaging device including a hollow head for attachment to a container of material to be dispensed, a pair of outwardly converging flat faces on the exterior of said head, said faces terminating in a relatively sharp scraping edge, said head having a slot in the Wall thereof through one of said faces for dispensing 6 material to said face, and a plurality of flexible massaging projections on the other of said faces.

5. A dispensing and massaging device, including a hollow head for attachment to a container of material to be dispensed, a flat applicator surface on the exterior of said head, said head having a slot through the wall thereof and said surface through which material may be dispensed, said slot being disposed in the outer part of said surface and arcuate in shape with the bow toward the base of said head to guide material over said surface.

6. A dispensing and massaging device, including a hollow resilient head having a lateral interior groove therein near the open end thereof, a polygonal headed nut having an opening therethrough snapped into said groove for threaded engagement with the mouth of a collapsible tube of material to be dispensed. said head having a slot through the wall thereof through which material may be dispensed, and massaging means carried by said head.

7. In a dispensing and massaging device, a hollow head for attachment at one end to a container of material to be dispensed, a pair of flat outwardly converging faces on the exterior of said head, a relatively sharp scraping edge extending across said head between said faces, said. head having a self-closing slit therein through one of said faces communicating with the hollow in said head, said one face being otherwise smooth, and a plurality of flexible massaging projections extending outwardly from' the other of said faces.

8. In a dispensing and massaging device, a hollow resilient head, a nut of rigid material secured in the base end of said head for threaded engagement with the mouth of a collapsible tube of material to be dispensed, said head having a slit through the wall thereof through which material from the tube may be dispensed, and massaging elements carried by said head remote from said slit.

WILLIAM G. PANCOAST.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS :Number Name Date 651,932 Rodiger June 19, 1900 2,059,748 Rose Nov. 3, 1936 2,197,579 Hooper Apr. 16, '1940 2,336,357 Hixson Dec. 7, 1943 Y 

